Charlestown Patch wants to help you spread the word.

Starting today, Charlestown Patch will be featuring a reader-contributed announcement or event each day, helping to promote whatever is important to you, our readers, via the morning newsletter, social media and other avenues. Maybe it's a youth hockey game, a nonprofit fundraiser, a community meet-up, a birthday, a thank-you or a new addition to the family. Whatever matters to you, we want to help share it with the community.

If you're new to Charlestown Patch or have never posted something, below is a quick guide to getting started. Remember: Send the link to your finished local announcement or event to becca.manning@patch.com so I can possibly feature it on the home page.

How to post an announcement on Charlestown Patch

1. Go to Charlestown Patch and sign in with your email address and password. If you are a new user, you'll need to create a free account by clicking "Join" at the top right corner of the page or by following this link: http://charlestown.patch.com/join.

2. Once you are signed in, hover your mouse over the "News" tab near the top of the page and then find the Announcement link and click on it. Then click on the "Add an Annoucement" button on the right side of the page. Or just click here to create a new announcement.

3. Make sure to add at least one photo where it says "Choose file to upload." Photos are not necessary but are highly recommended, especially if you want the announcement featured. It could be a picture of people or a place, a logo or otherwise.

4. Click "Post My Announcement" at the bottom to complete the process. Then send the link to becca.manning@patch.com. Note: Though the link is live immediately, announcements take about 15 minutes to appear on the main Announcements page. It's a good idea to copy down the link (or send it to us right away) so you can reference it later and make sure it's there. 

How to post an event on Charlestown Patch

1. Go to Charlestown Patch and sign in with your email address and password. If you are a new user, you'll need to create a free account by clicking "Join" at the top right corner of the page or by following this link: http://charlestown.patch.com/join.

2. Once you are signed in, click on the "Events" tab near the top of the page and then click the "Add an Event" button on the right side of the page. You can also click here to create a new event.

3. Give your event a title (ex. "CNC Meeting"). Add the date and time of the event. Type in the full address of your event (ex. 545 Medford St., Boston). Add details about the event in the Description box. Check off at least one category.

4. If you have a photo or logo to go with the announcement, add it by clicking the "Upload Photos and Videos" button under the Description box. Photos are not necessary but are highly recommended. 

5. Click "Post My Event" at the bottom to complete the process. Then send the link to becca.manning@patch.com. Note: Though the link is live immediately, events take about 15 minutes to appear on the main Events page. It's a good idea to copy down the link (or send it to us right away) so you can reference it later and make sure it's there. 

If you ever have trouble navigating the Patch site, call Editor Becca Manning at 781-217-4233 or email me at becca.manning@patch.com. I'm happy to help!